SHELBURNE EARL OF: (1737-1805) British Prime Minister 1782-83. A rare A.L.S., Lansdowne, two pages, 4to, Lansdowne House, 30th January 1791, to a gentleman. Shelburne thanks his correspondent for their obliging letter regarding Mr. Parry and continues 'I have applied to Mr. Rennie, a Clergyman from the North of England, whose character and situation answers every point we want....he states his having already two young gentlemen, who have never been at any public school, and that it is incumbent on him to be particularly carefull about the morals of any one....He says that he is willing....by my Honour, but I feel too much about children, not to be very unhappy about taking such a responsibility upon myself and therefore must beg to refer him to you, who I am persuaded will act honorably between the parties'. Shelburne concludes 'I have Mastr. Parry on his Father's account, and will do every thing in my power to serve him, but I likewise feel for Mr. Rennie's situation, & think it would be dishonest & cruel to mislead him in any respect'. Two contemporary notes in an unidentified hand at the foot of the first page indicate that Master Parry was the son of the Governor of Barbados. A few small, minor tears to the edges of the letter, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG

David Parry (1733-1793) Governor of Barbados 1784-93. His son was David Okeden Parry (d.1833).